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From penguins to peaks, Anthony Nelson’s path into outdoor leadership is anything but typical. The executive director of the Glacier Institute shares how a Minnesota kid fascinated by zoos became a conservation-minded educator, moved his family to the Flathead Valley, and stepped into the Institute’s top role just weeks before the pandemic reshaped the world. Forced to rethink how outdoor education could work, Nelson and his team adapted quickly—ultimately expanding the Institute’s reach across Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest while deepening its mission of connecting people to the natural world.

In the conversation, Nelson walks through the Institute’s three campuses—historic Field Camp inside Glacier, the Big Creek Outdoor Education Center for youth, and a new 141-acre property in Columbia Heights being developed as a community nature center. He shares how programs have grown rapidly through expert-led field courses and day programs that turn casual hikers into confident stewards, along with ambitious conservation work along the Bad Rock Wildlife Management Area corridor. From learning the difference between blue camas and death camas to understanding raptor ecology and grizzly safety, this episode highlights how outdoor education strengthens communities—and why the Glacier Institute’s hands-on, fun-first culture (including its legendary Lumberjack Ball fundraiser) keeps people coming back for more.

If you care about Glacier, the Flathead Valley, outdoor education, wildlife corridors, and real community impact, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to plug in. Subscribe, share with a neighbor who loves the park, and leave a review to help more people find the show.

Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:

• Glacier Investment Management
• Whitefish Financial Services

Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description. 

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

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After 25 years in Air Force counterintelligence, Neil Wheldon traded global posts and Pentagon briefings for rivers and a steadier pace in Kalispell. Inspired early by a unifying vision of America, he built a career on integrity, clear judgment, and candid counsel. His defining chapter came at the Pentagon, leading the effort to map the Air Force’s future force needs against peer adversaries a decade out. Not being a pilot—once a liability in an aviation-first culture—became his edge. As a special agent, he applied investigative rigor: define assumptions, build process, test, refine, brief. The result reframed what credibility can look like at the highest levels.

That professional high point ran parallel to personal strain—five moves in five years, five high schools for his eldest, and a remote tour in Turkey. A shared “someday in Montana” became a plan: his wife and daughters put down roots in the Flathead while he finished his final tour. Today, Neil brings that same discipline to Line 49, a Montana firearms manufacturer born from regulatory headwinds in Alberta and rebuilt around stability, precision, and small-batch excellence. From super short action bolt rifles that run standard AR-15 magazines to modular Henry Supreme conversions, the focus is meticulous QC, indicated chambers, and a signed test sheet in every box—quiet collaboration in a valley rich with makers.

Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:

• Glacier Investment Management
• Whitefish Financial Services

Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description. 

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

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A first-grade classroom can feel like a small town, and Annie Lillard has learned how to lead with steadiness and care. Raised in Kalispell, Annie now teaches at Cornelius Hedges Elementary—the same school where her mother once taught—bringing a multigenerational perspective to a rapidly growing valley. Her path to the classroom runs through Whitworth University, volunteer work in Haiti, early teaching stops in the Bitterroot and New Jersey, and the adoption of two sons from the same place where she once served. Those experiences shape a philosophy rooted in relationships, routines, and meeting kids exactly where they are.

In this conversation, Annie gets candid about what helps classrooms thrive—and what makes the work harder. She breaks down curriculum shifts, the realities of combination classes, and the challenge of supporting advanced learners alongside students navigating absences, IEPs, and real-life stress. We also dig into school funding: how a long-awaited levy finally passed with help from One Brave Pack, what levy dollars actually restore in schools, and why sustainability matters for teachers. Along the way, Annie shares simple ways the community can help—from classroom volunteering to work-based learning programs led by Mike Kelly—and the personal routines that keep her grounded for the long haul.

If this story resonated, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more Flathead neighbors find the show.

Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:

• Glacier Investment Management
• Whitefish Financial Services

Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description. 

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

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Want a grounded look at what actually drives housing costs in the Flathead Valley—and what can realistically bring them down? We sit down with Mark Friedline, executive officer of the Flathead Building Association, to break down the practical levers that matter most: smart advocacy, safer jobsites, streamlined permitting, and a coordinated local workforce strategy. Mark’s unconventional path from outdoor educator and university program leader to industry advocate gives him a systems-level view of how people, policy, and process intersect in real construction timelines and real home prices.

The conversation zeroes in on solutions already in motion—aligning local setbacks with international standards to unlock usable space, reducing delays through clearer permitting, and supporting builders with monthly safety trainings, mock OSHA walkthroughs, and plain-language guidance on compliance. But the heart of the episode is workforce. With retirements far outpacing new entrants, Mark outlines how paid high-school internships, college partnerships, and the launch of ACE—an after-school architecture, construction, and engineering program—are building a homegrown talent pipeline. The goal is direct and urgent: increase capacity, reduce risk, and lower long-term housing costs by investing locally and early.

Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:

• Glacier Investment Management
• Whitefish Financial Services

Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description. 

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

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Sweet Pickens Pumpkin Patch didn’t start with a business plan—it started with a three-quarter-mile train, a field full of pumpkins, and a mission to help families smile again. In this episode, we sit down with Sweet Pickens founder Terry Devries to explore his winding path from Nebraska farm kid to Continental Airlines pilot, to corporate aviator for SemiTool, and finally to Kalispell community-builder. Terry shares how aviation shaped his approach to safety, systems, and patience—and how those habits now guide a hands-on farm experience designed for learning, play, and Flathead Valley’s tight 90-day growing season.

We dig into the choices behind the farm’s signature attractions: frost-resistant pumpkin varieties, alfalfa fields that double as parking, and a custom-built train laid one spike at a time. Terry also talks about stewardship, faith, and the family teamwork that keeps Sweet Pickens growing—whether maintaining track, welcoming school groups, or adding new kid-powered features like pedal carts, goats, hoops, and sandbox excavators. If you’re interested in community building, family entrepreneurship, or how to grow a local attraction with purpose and heart, this conversation offers a blueprint rooted in listening, thoughtful planning, and building spaces where parents exhale and kids light up.

• Sweet Pickin's Pumpkin Patch

Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:

• Glacier Investment Management
• Whitefish Financial Services

Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description. 

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

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Kalispell native Pastor Chad Warren shares a full-circle journey from early skepticism about faith to leading one of the Flathead Valley’s largest congregations. He walks through the moment his doubts shifted, the mentors who shaped his thinking, and how a philosophy degree unexpectedly became ideal preparation for ministry. His path runs through camp leadership, formative mentoring work at Yale, and a lived conviction that faith, intellect, and service are strongest when they stay connected to real people and real needs.

We also cover the leadership crucibles that defined him—guiding a large Texas church through COVID and extreme weather, moving worship into living rooms, and keeping pastoral care personal when everything turned remote. Now senior pastor at East Haven, Chad talks about a church designed for community impact: two Sunday services, active kids and student programs, home-based small groups, coffee-shop meetups, a food pantry, hospital visits at Logan Health, and school partnerships. His vision of shalom is practical: helping families, neighborhoods, and systems become whole as the Valley grows and changes. If you care about community health, church leadership, or how personal faith becomes public good, this episode brings the Flathead’s heart into focus.

• Easthaven Baptist Church

Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:

• Glacier Investment Management
• Whitefish Financial Services

Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description. 

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

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A boutique with a bank vault, century-old display cases, and a name pulled from Kalispell’s past—this conversation with Princess and Buck co-owners Kyle Waterman and Beth Kornick is a walk through how small businesses can power a main street’s heart. In just 30 days, they turned an idea into an open sign, choosing downtown Kalispell over easier options and transforming a former bank into a living scrapbook where shoppers find clothing, home goods, and stories woven through local history.

Kyle and Beth share how their Montana roots, Rotary connection, and community focus shaped their approach to retail and service. From a working vault turned photo booth to jewelry cases said to have arrived by stagecoach and boat, Princess and Buck blends heritage and entrepreneurship. With lessons on sourcing unique lines, building small vignettes that solve gifting, and sustaining downtown vitality through collaboration, this episode is a love letter to Kalispell’s spirit—and a guide for anyone who believes main streets still matter.

• Princess and Buck

Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:

• Glacier Investment Management
• Whitefish Financial Services

Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description. 

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

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Flathead County Administrator Pete Melnick brings an uncommon résumé to local government—Coast Guard helicopter pilot, counter-drug operations leader, and DHS culture strategist. In this conversation with David Wigginton, host of Heart of the Flathead, Pete shares how mission discipline, systems thinking, and a deep curiosity for frontline work now drive better roads, smarter budgets, and more transparent decisions across one of Montana’s fastest-growing counties.

From disabling cartel boats to navigating Montana’s open-meeting laws, Pete reveals what effective leadership looks like when stakes are high and accountability is real. He breaks down how to think in systems, listen across perspectives, and dig into the “five whys” to find root causes. Along the way, you’ll hear lessons from military command, mistakes that shaped his civilian leadership style, and why trust—and listening—remain the most underrated tools in public service.

Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:

• Glacier Investment Management
• Whitefish Financial Services

Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description. 

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

Send us Fan Mail

What does real public safety look like when a department hires for character, invests in officer wellness, and stays close to its community? Kalispell Police Chief Jordan Venezio joins host David Wigginton for a candid, story-driven look at leadership, purpose, and building trust in a fast-growing Flathead Valley. From his unconventional start in business and real estate to patrol, narcotics, and school resource officer work, Jordan’s path has given him a 360-degree view of service. His time at the FBI National Academy honed his focus on communication, wellness, and strategic decision-making—skills he now uses to guide a department rooted in collaboration and care.

Jordan shares how a local safety levy helped Kalispell PD cut response times nearly in half, strengthen visibility, and deepen relationships with residents and businesses. He talks about prioritizing youth safety, expanding school resource programs, and building partnerships like Special Olympics that foster community trust. From working alongside regional agencies to finding balance outdoors, his approach reveals what it takes to lead a healthy, human-centered police department in today’s Montana.

Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:

• Glacier Investment Management
• Whitefish Financial Services

Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description. 

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.

Send us Fan Mail

What does it take for a college to truly belong to its community? Dr. Jane Karas, President of Flathead Valley Community College, joins host David Wigginton to share how listening, partnership, and follow-through have shaped FVCC into both an educational powerhouse and a community cornerstone. From her unexpected journey from the East Coast to Montana ranch life, Jane’s blend of grit and policy expertise informs a leadership style where students feel seen, supported, and known by name.

Together, we explore how FVCC fuels the Flathead Valley’s economy and culture—linking adult education, transfer programs, and industry-aligned training in fields like healthcare and manufacturing. Jane spotlights the Wachholz College Center, a world-class venue that hosts authors, climbers, and musicians, and introduces FVCC’s new Entrepreneurship Center—a collaborative hub for founders, mentors, and innovators. The thread through it all: authentic relationships and data-driven agility that keep both the college and community growing stronger together.

• Flathead Valley Community College
• Wachholz College Center

Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:

• Glacier Investment Management
• Whitefish Financial Services

Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description. 

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.